2of8Mayor Ivy Taylor greets Fire Chief Charles Hood after a news conference at City Hall in the wake of the shooting in Dallas. “I want to remind all of my fellow San Antonians that the way we stay safe is by staying engaged,” Taylor saidPhoto: Photos by Carolyn Van Houten / San Antonio Express-News

3of8Mayor Ivy Taylor addresses the press about recent violence across the country during a press conference at City Hall in San Antonio, Texas on July 8, 2016.Photo: Carolyn Van Houten / Carolyn Van Houten

4of8Deputy Police Chief Anthony Trevio addresses the press about recent violence across the country during a press conference at City Hall in San Antonio, Texas on July 8, 2016.Photo: Carolyn Van Houten / Carolyn Van Houten

5of8Mayor Ivy Taylor hugs Fire Chief Charles Hood before a press conference about recent violence across the country at City Hall in San Antonio, Texas on July 8, 2016.Photo: Carolyn Van Houten / Carolyn Van Houten

6of8Deputy Police Chief Anthony Trevio addresses the press about recent violence across the country during a press conference at City Hall in San Antonio, Texas on July 8, 2016.Photo: Carolyn Van Houten / Carolyn Van Houten

7of8Mayor Ivy Taylor addresses the press about recent violence across the country during a press conference at City Hall in San Antonio, Texas on July 8, 2016.Photo: Carolyn Van Houten / Carolyn Van Houten

8of8Mayor Ivy Taylor addresses the press about recent violence across the country during a press conference at City Hall in San Antonio, Texas on July 8, 2016.Photo: Carolyn Van Houten / Carolyn Van Houten

San Antonio Police Department Capt. Joseph Salvaggio went to bed early Thursday night in preparation for the 19th annual 100 Club of San Antonio spaghetti dinner, which raises money for the families of fallen officers and firefighters.

He awoke Friday morning to his wife crying and the news that 12 officers and two civilians had been shot in an ambush. Five officers had been killed by a sniper in downtown Dallas as he slept.

“Waking up this morning was very hard, listening to this news and watching it in the morning. It almost brought tears to my eyes thinking about their families,” Salvaggio said. “When these things happen it doesn’t just affect the officers, it affects the entire family. My daughter was very upset.”

As Salvaggio and officers everywhere struggled with their emotions in the wake of the violent attack on their own, Mayor Ivy Taylor, along with SAPD Deputy Chief Anthony Treviño, City Manager Sheryl Sculley and three City Council members, urged residents to cooperate with law enforcement when they witness suspicious activity.

“We all know that our city of San Antonio is a city with a deep heart, and today our heart aches with the victims and their families,” Taylor said. “I want to remind all of my fellow San Antonians that the way we stay safe is by staying engaged.”

Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau said the Sheriff’s Office is not aware of any credible threats in the San Antonio area but that deputies are still on alert and will remain vigilant.

“We are shocked and saddened by the events that occurred in Dallas. Our hearts and prayers go to the family and friends of those officers who lost their lives,” Pamerleau said. “We stand ready to offer our support in any way needed.”

Not long after local authorities released statements offering their condolences and support to the Dallas Police Department and Dallas Area Rapid Transit, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office announced their deputies must ride two in a vehicle. SAPD Officer Douglas Greene said two officers at minimum are sent to dispatched calls and that cover is always close.

“Of course, our officers will be extra vigilant in the wake of Dallas,” Greene said.

Salvaggio said the fate of the five officers in Dallas is something in the back of every officer’s mind when starting the day and serves as a reminder for officers everywhere to stay vigilant.

“People will say, ‘Well, it’s what you signed up for.’ Nobody signs up to die,” he said. “We’re signing up to protect the community and do what we can. That’s the ultimate sacrifice that those guys give, and it’s much more than what they should have to give.”

Salvaggio said the 100 Club will be donating what they can to support the 100 Club in Dallas and the families of the officers who were killed.

“I guarantee you they didn’t target their skin color, they targeted the uniform,” he said of the shooter.

Milo Colton, St. Mary’s University criminal justice professor, said the visuals of the fallen officers in the media have an effect on psyches that increases the degree of paranoia that some officers might feel when putting on the uniform and badge.

“There’s no way it’s not going to adversely affect the psychological health of an officer,” he said. “When you’ve been shot at or had a fellow officer killed, you operate in a different mindset.”

“I’m not afraid to go out there any day,” Salvaggio said firmly. “I don’t know any officer that is. I don’t think it’s anger, I think it’s hurt. They’re truly out there to do what’s best for the community.

“There is paranoia among people in the police profession,” he said, noting that officers will not call it that but instead operate with more awareness.

“It doesn't paralyze us from doing our jobs,” San Antonio Police Officers Association President Mike Helle said. “It certainly does make us heightened and aware of our surroundings.”

Referring to an SAPD officer who said his wife pleaded with him not to go to work Friday, Treviño reiterated the commitment of local law enforcement of its duty to the city.

“That officer,” he said, “I can almost guarantee you he still came to work. We have an honor and a duty and an obligation to serve our community and keep our community safe.”

In a statement early Friday, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, who is on vacation, said the department was saddened by the attack on officers.

“Our hearts go out to the officers, their families and the Dallas community who have been affected by this horrific attack,” he said. “This tragedy hits close to home, and we are monitoring the situation as it unfolds. This is a sobering reminder to our officers that they must constantly remain vigilant. We also ask all citizens to be watchful and report any suspicious activity.”

Treviño noted that in addition to 911 for emergency situations, residents may call authorities through their non-emergency numbers to report suspicious activity.

The SAPD non-emergency line is 210-207-SAPD. The Bexar County Sheriff's Office has a tip line at 210-335-TIPS.

Treviño also addressed changes in SAPD, saying the department is looking at use-of-force data, identifying and measuring the amount of necessary force, as well as training officers in additional de-escalation tactics.

He added that there has often been an outpouring of support from the community when asked about the relationship between police and the city.

“It’s such an extraordinarily tragic event, that I thank God we don't have this type of incident happening here,” Helle said. “Any one of us could’ve put ourselves in that situation during Fiesta. It’s pretty scary when you have so much different video from different angles.”

In separate interviews, Helle and Juan Contreras of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Bexar County, said officers and deputies are not afraid, but the shootings have made them more vigilant while on patrol.

“We’re out there. We’re taking the fight,” Contreras said. “What my job is going to be is saying, ‘Look, right now we need to mourn the loss of our brothers after what occurred.’”

Jacob Beltran is a staff writer on the evening public safety beat at the San Antonio Express-News. He is completing a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas A&M-San Antonio. Since beginning his journalism career in 2010, he's worked at local college newspaper The Ranger and The Mesquite.

He is a San Antonio native who enjoys video games, photography, and exploring during his free time.